The Maximum Tension Principle in General Relativity

Abstract

I suggest that classical General Relativity in four spacetime dimensions incorporates a Principal of Maximal Tension and give arguments to show that the value of the maximal tension is \(\frac{{c^4 }}{{4G}}\). The relation of this principle to other, possibly deeper, maximal principles is discussed, in particular the relation to the tension in string theory. In that case it leads to a purely classical relation between G and the classical string coupling constant α′ and the velocity of light c which does not involve Planck's constant.